A caravan that looks level isn’t always towing safely. If your vehicle is sagging, your suspension is under strain, or your tow ball and coupling alignment is off, you risk poor ride quality and increase the chance of vehicle , sway. The key to safe, legal, and comfortable towing is making sure your car and caravan are correctly balanced together—not just the van on its own. Mobile caravan weighing, horse float weighing, vehicle weighing and commercial vehicle weighing services can help you identify exactly how your load is distributed. Suspension upgrades, load distribution systems, and adjustable tow hitches can make all the difference.
For the purpose of this article, “Trailer” refers to a caravan, horse float, or any other trailer.
Why Towing Level Matters
If you’ve ever hitched up your trailer, stepped back and thought “that looks pretty level”, you might assume you’re good to go. But towing level isn’t just about appearances—it’s about how your car and trailer work as a pair.
An unbalanced setup can cause:
- Poor ride quality – a bumpy, uncomfortable trip for driver and passengers.
- Vehicle sway – dangerous instability, especially at highway speeds.
- Vehicle strain – premature wear on suspension, tyres, and axles.
- Insurance or legal issues – if your rig doesn’t meet regulations, you could be uninsured in the event of an accident.
In short, a “near enough” towing setup isn’t good enough. To avoid surprises, knowing your gross vehicle mass (GVM) and gross combined mass (GCM) is essential.
Common Causes of an Uncomfortable Ride
Even when your trailer looks balanced, a rough or unsafe ride can often come down to your vehicle’s setup, not the trailer itself. Some common culprits include:
- Tow ball mass issues – too heavy or too light can throw everything off. Learn how to check your trailercaravan tare weight.
- Overloaded rear axle – putting excess weight at the back of the tow vehicle.
- Rear suspension sag – a drooping vehicle rear reduces suspension travel and makes it harder to absorb bumps and potholes.
When this happens, your car can no longer properly control the trailer’s dynamic tow ball mass, which leads to instability and reduced towing confidence. Understanding your aggregate trailer mass (ATM) and gross trailer mass (GTM) can help ensure your setup is safe.
How to Fix an Unlevel Tow
1. Suspension Upgrades
Upgrading your suspension can help restore your vehicle’s ride height and handling. Options include:
- Heavy-duty springs – provide better support for higher tow ball weights.
- Airbag spring helpers – help fine-tune your suspension for different loads.
2. Weight Distribution Systems
These spread the load more evenly across your vehicle’s axles, reducing rear sag and improving both stability and comfort.
3. Adjustable Tow Hitches
A properly set tow ball height is critical. An adjustable hitch allows you to keep your trailer level (or very slightly nose down) for safer towing.
The best solution depends on your specific setup. Overinvesting in the wrong upgrade can be costly—so it’s important to get expert advice before spending big.
See Weigh My Ride first to ensure you receive accurate and unbiased advice. Weigh My Ride stocks and installs adjustable tow hitches and weight distribution systems, providing you with a one-stop-shop for your towing solutions.
Towing Laws and Safety Rules
Here are the key things to keep in mind when towing:
- Tow capacity: Your car must not tow more than its manufacturer’s rated capacity. Just because the vehicle can tow 3.5T doesn’t mean you should. Understanding the type of travel you want to do, whether you are a solo traveller or a family of five, and whether you will need to pack much in your vehicle, all greatly impacts your payload, which greatly impacts your tow ball mass capacity and rear axle loads. If towing to your limit, it’s safe to assume you can place very little cargo in your tow vehicle.
- Tow ball weight: Typically 8–15% of the trailer’s loaded weight. Too much or too little risks sway.
- Weight distribution: Both your car and trailer must comply with their Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)/Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) and Gross Combination Mass (GCM) limits.
- Brakes: In Victoria, trailer over 750kg must be fitted with brakes, and over 2000kg require electric brakes.
- Insurance compliance: Many insurers require proof that your setup complies with legal weight and towing requirements.
Ignoring these rules can lead to fines, loss of insurance cover, and most importantly, unsafe conditions on the road.
How Weigh My Ride Can Help
At Weigh My Ride, we take the guesswork out of towing.
Our 1–1.5 hour mobile service includes:
- A full assessment of your vehicle and trailer suspension and towing heights/angles, and a safety and suitability check on your tow hitch and coupling before weighing.
- Recommendations for suspension upgrades or adjustments—without pushing unnecessary extras.
- On-the-spot fitting of adjustable Hayman Reese tow hitches, weight distribution systems, and Cruisemaster DO35 couplings, if required.
- Advice on achieving safe, comfortable, and legal towing.
By getting your setup checked, you’ll not only enjoy a smoother ride—you’ll also be confident you’re safe, legal, and insured.
Final Thoughts
Towing level isn’t about eyeballing your trailer—it’s about making sure your entire setup works in harmony. From suspension to tow ball height, getting these details right makes the difference between a nerve-wracking trip and a relaxed drive.
Before heading off on your next weekend escape or Great Ocean Road adventure, take the time to get your vehicle and trailer properly assessed. It could save you money, stress, and even your safety.
Stay safe. Stay legal. Tow with confidence. Contact Weigh My Ride today!
